The American Costa Rican Exchange Service, Inc is incorporated under the not-for-profit laws of New York State and is exempt from New York State taxes and Federal taxation under 501-c-3 regulations. There are no paid directors, officers or employees. It is run entirely by volunteers.
The purpose of the corporation is to promote school to school exchanges between high schools in the U.S. and Costa Rica. The normal duration of the exchange is 3 weeks. Each exchange group is accompanied by at least one adult group leader, but not more than two, usually teachers from the participating schools.
Group sizes vary between 5 and 20 students. It is not required that the number of students being hosted is the same number as being sent, but groups sizes should be mutually agreed upon by U.S. and Costa Rican group leaders. Students should be between 14 and 18 years old and either in school or just graduated in the past 6 months. Costa Rican students usually travel during December, January or February and U.S. students travel at Easter vacation/Spring Break or during June, July and August. At least ten passengers are required to get a lower group rate airfare"
The exchange is designed as a homestay exchange, where students and group leaders are housed with families in the community of the hosting school. Students are picked up at the nearest major airport or train station.
The program in the host community is planned by the host community, but usually includes some sightseeing, attending the hosting school, planned community activities and social activities. Generally, exchange students should not be expected to pay for sponsored activities.
The cost of the program is based on the cost of providing services required for the exchange. A.C.R.E.S. makes group airline reservations, makes available an optional insurance program, arranges matching schools and coordinates the program generally. Each student pays the cost of his own airfare, any insurance expenses, is assessed up to a $100 fee to help pay the transportation costs of the group leader and is assessed a $50 fee to help pay our organization expenses. U.S. students usually find $200 in spending money to be more than adequate.
There is no cost to host, except the out-of-pocket expenses providing your local program.
Our Costa Rican office is staffed by a high school principal and her engineer husband, both retired and Directors of the Corporation, and both speak English and can be contacted at the number listed above. That office makes the arrangements in Costa Rica.
Travel documents for students going to Costa Rica are:
. A picture I.D. is required to board the plane.
. All exchange participants must have a valid passport and must fulfill all the requirements for entering Costa Rica.
The cost per person in the year 2003, if the group is 10 or larger, varies between $600 and $900, depending on the airport of departure from the U.S.. (Rev 12/26/2003)